More than a virus: a qualitative study of the social implications of hepatitis B infection in China

International Journal for Equity in Health

Research

J. Richmond¹  J. Wallace¹  M. Pitts¹  B. Hajarizadeh²  C. Liu³  V. Lin⁴  S. Locarnini⁵ 

[1] Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, 3000, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, 3000, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia (University of New South Wales), Sydney, Australia;China Health Program, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Director, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Hepatitis B, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia;

关键词: China;    Hepatitis B;    Social impact;    Stigma;    Health care access;    Qualitative study;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-017-0637-4

 received in 2017-03-16, accepted in 2017-07-26,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundChina has the largest absolute number of people living with hepatitis B with up to 300,000 people estimated to die each year from hepatitis B related diseases. Despite advances in immunisation, clinical management, and health policy, there is still a lack of accessible and affordable health care for people with hepatitis B. Through in-depth interviews, this study identifies the personal, social and economic impact of living with hepatitis B and considers the role of stigma and discrimination as barriers to effective clinical management of the disease.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were held with 41 people living with hepatitis B in five Chinese cities. Participants were recruited through clinical and non-government organisations providing services to people with hepatitis B, with most (n = 32) being under the age of 35 years.ResultsPeople living with hepatitis B experience the disease as a transformative intergenerational chronic infection with multiple personal and social impacts. These include education and employment choices, economic opportunities, and the development of intimate relationships. While regulations reducing access to employment and education for people with hepatitis B have been repealed, stigma and discrimination continue to marginalise people with hepatitis B.ConclusionsEffective public policy to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis B needs to address the lived impact of hepatitis B on families, employment and educational choices, finances, and social marginalisation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017